Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Shift dress sew along!

Hello wonderful readers!

I know I said I would post these photos on Sunday, but I have been insanely busy even in my down time and nursing a sore knee from over doing it at the gym. Perhaps more pressing the sewing machine pedal and less hitting the treadmill is required!

Anyway, so here it is! My version of Simplicity 3833 which was sewn for Rosie Wednesdays shift dress sew along




Simplicity 3833 is a reproduction of a Simplicity 8498 from 1969



I've never got to buy the original pattern so I couldn't get a chance to do a pattern comparison. But The Stitchery did one over here and you can see the main differences are the bust point which has been lowered and the skirt has been changed so it doesn't swing back too much. I'd like to have made two and compared it that way but it wasn't to be!


I don't normally like to buy reproduction patterns because the sizing is different to what I'm used to working with but this one was a pleasant surprise! 

I cut a 12 for this dress and luckily didn't need to make any adjustments! The back darts are really well located for my shape - normally the darts are lower and the bottom skirt kicks out when it meets my butt






The darts around the bust however proved a challenge and I never got them to sit right. They sit under my bust instead of in top. I'm not sure how I stuffed that one up! 







The fabric I used was a wool suiting which I chose for the check pattern. I imagined it would look really cute with the collar and tie and I also really liked Sarah's tartan shift so I decided it would be perfect! Interestingly the pattern is very similar to my school uniform which was navy with golden yellow and white checks! How funny! 

As the fabric was wool I decided to make it long sleeved so that it would actually be a good dress for winter. The fabric is a bit itchy but that's because I'm wearing trying it on now, in the middle of summer! 


You can't really tell in the photos but I was sweating bullets! 

The collar and tie don't come with the pattern so they were made separately. 



I had struggled for awhile to make a tie to sit just right under the collar that would still look nice. 
When one of my new Norma Tullo patterns arrived in the mail it had a pattern piece to make a simple tie that was designed to sit under the collar - perfect! 


It's a really simple tie in that it's one piece and it's folded onto itself and sewn. Not tied in a bow which can sometimes just ruin the look.

The sleeves went in so well - nice and neat without any bumps. A credit to the new pattern perhaps?


I also made a rather silly mistake for someone who should know better! I didn't match up the lines on the plaid. Oops!
I hardly ever sew with strips for checks so I forgot to line them up!



Over all I'm pretty happy I tried out this pattern! I hesitate to try reproduction patterns because I often hear terrible things about the fit of some of them, however this one hasn't had many bad reviews so obviously it's one that they got right! 

You can see the other versions from the sew along here!

I hope your week is being kind to you so far! I'll see you 'round!

Cat xo 

37 comments:

  1. Great dress doll, I love the little tie under the collar! I've never tried any reproduction patterns so it's interesting to hear how you found using one.

    Sorry to hear about your knee. I've somehow damaged the ligaments in my right knee and have been limping for months!

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    1. Thank you darl! I had sort of sworn not to do one ever, but i decided to give it a go when Rosie asked and it turned out just fine. Not the same magic of a pre-owned vintage but still just as nice.

      Oh my! limping is never fun. Have you been to visit the doctor?

      P.S I bet your glad you drive to work - those Tube strikes sound painful!

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    2. I've had an x-ray but I've got to wait ages for the results, I think the muscle is just inflamed. I've no idea how I did it but it has meant no dancing for a while!

      Oh god it was terrible. I understand why they were striking but London grounds to a halt if the tubes aren't running!

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  2. I adore your version of the shift, it is so cute in plaid and the collar and tie are a wonderful addition!

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  3. This looks lovely, I really like the addition of the collar and the tie! And it's funny you should say about the plaid not matching up, because I was actually looking at it thinking "she's matched the pattern up pretty well". I particularly like how you've got it meeting at the front of the skirt portion, it gives a really flattering shape.
    I hope your poor knee is feeling better!

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    1. Haha! I didn't notice either until my boyfriend mentioned it! I'm not fussed, but if i was making it to sell i'd probably be more careful.
      I see what you mean - the angle of the check sort of gives a visual trick of the eye!
      That makes me love this dress even more!

      My knee is a little better too! xo

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  4. Wow, that is incredible! I love the tartan and that white collar, so authentically 1960s looking! You are so clever.
    i'm sure I have that original pattern in my stash. My dressmaking friend told the the technical name for a bust detail like that but I can't remember for the life of me what it is! x

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    1. Oh i missed you! welcome back and thank you! I'll be very excited to wear this in winter. The pattern doesn't mention if the dart has a special name, but knowing sewing, it probably does.

      You missed out on seeing my yellow dress! I think you'd like it! http://sewingthe60s.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/im-just-mad-about-saffron.html

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  5. How absolutely dreamy, Cat. The combination of the collar and the plaid makes this dress SO cute and unique. Your site has been very inspiring to me. Keep on doing what you're doing!!
    Pleasure sewing along with you.
    Shelley

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    1. Thank you honey! I'm glad you like my little blog. Your version of the shift looks so nice and sweet! xo

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  6. This is so fantastic. I love the personal touches you added!

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    1. thank you! i couldnt help it, i love peter pan collars!

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  7. Oh my gosh, I've got that original pattern! Well, some of the pieces were missing, but they're still fab to collect. :) Your dress came out fantastically!!! Great work! :)

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    1. Oh wow! thats cool! but also not cause its missing bits. bummer!

      Thanks and im glad you like the dress =)

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  8. ooo. That's really pretty. Great job! I love the color and it looks great on you

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  9. Love love LOVE it! Cutie patootie!
    Great fabric choice, too! XXX

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    1. Thanks! the fabric is so itchy right now. but it will go by winter!

      eep! winter is coming....

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  10. This is such a cute little dress! I love the little tie. Great fabric pattern too (I didn't even notive the lines in the plaid didn't match up until you pointed it out.) this is exactly the kind of thing I want to wear all through the winter!

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    1. Thanks! Im glad the fabric issue isnt so obvious. i like to keep a human edge to my sewing aka boo boos

      It will be good for winter - with some tight and cute little shoes. This is the only thing i like about winter, the clothes!

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  11. What a lovely dress, you look fab in it!
    :)

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  12. You really do look straight out of the 1960s. What a charming little frock! I wish I could sew.

    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you! Sewing is really fun and easy to start, even if you only make simple things at first. Maybe see if there are sewing classes in your town? at least give it a whirl and if it doesn't work out, then at least you can say tried it!

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  13. A really pretty dress Catherine!! I love how you added the collar and bow tie, it looks so sixties and you wear it so well! I bet it will be perfect in winter. I was only trying on some winter clothes the other day and they felt so itchy, and then I realized it was just because it was so hot! Ha! I can't wait!

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    1. Thanks Lucy! Winter is so deceiving here! Cold in the morning and warm by midday. I don't know what its like in QLD, but for us its quite sporadic like that.

      I always thought i was funny how much the wool industry used to push the use of wool in our hot country, but wool is really good at keeping you warm and cool. The fabric lets your skin breath but not too much that you get a chill

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  14. This is my favorite dress you've made yet! It's absolutely gorgeous and made even more adorable by the bow tie, which is one of my favorite classic features. <3 xoxo

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    1. wow! you think so? I'm glad you like it, and yes, the bow tie just takes it up another level!

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  15. Hello, dear Cat! I met the future Mrs. Shady (#1) on the dance floor of the Shady Dell in June 1968. Shift dresses were in style and she wore a variety of them. The shift you produced brings back memories of her and her style. I admire the craftsmanship that went into this creation and know you'll get plenty of use out of it come winter.

    Good night, happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend, dear Catherine!

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    1. How lovely! I bet with the length of skirts in 1968 she was well aware of what she was doing when she went to The Dell! I'm glad to have taken you back to that time in a way, hopefully its all happy memories!

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  16. This is really great, fantastic fabric choice, even if we are in the midst of summer. It will simply give you something to look forward to! Bust darts, ughhhh. I feel your pain :)

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    1. Thank you! Its hanging on the back of my door patiently waiting for June. I on the other hand do not want June to come! I don't even like winter!

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